Water | The Adventure Travel Site

Why you should try snorkelling

Snorkelling | Image Courtesy: I.DeSouza , Great Barrier Reef , CC BY 3.0

Maldives islands are one of the best places you could visit for an exotic holiday. The pristine sand and the lush green palm trees surrounded by the tranquil waters of the Indian Ocean will definitely be a welcoming site. Maldives places to visit and things that you can do are not limited for anyone who visits the islands. The beautiful ocean itself provides an ample amount of activities that you can do while holidaying in the Maldives.

Water sports and activities around water are very famous in the Maldives. Even if you are not much into adventure, you should not miss the opportunity of exploring the beautiful waters around you. Snorkelling is one such safe and easy way to get a glimpse of the world underwater. Most hotels in Maldives, including Adaaran Prestige Water Villas provides their guests with an opportunity to go snorkelling.

Snorkelling is for everyone, you do not need to be good in swimming for this, the life jackets that you will be wearing will keep you afloat while you explore and experience the world beneath you. With a little equipment and a few minutes of practice, you will be able to witness a mind-blowing world. There will be beautiful corals that are home to many underwater species, bright coloured beautiful fish schools will be swimming past you and if you are lucky you might come across turtles that will be swimming along. Learn about marine life through the first-hand experience and enjoy every bit of it.

While you connect with nature in a different perspective rather than what you usually see in the land, you will get many more benefits out of snorkelling as well. Snorkelling has its health benefits both physically and mentally. Snorkelling in the pristine waters will calm your mind and relax you also while strengthening your muscles, improving your cardiovascular health and much more.

Capture some cool photos using an underwater camera and take home memories that would last a lifetime.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Beginners guide to windsurfing

With its clear water, agreeable wind conditions, and lagoons which surround many of the coral islands, the Maldives has earned itself a name as a windsurfing hot spot. The sport has slowly grown over the years to become a much loved Maldives tourism attractions, with several resorts ideally situated, such as the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, for instance, to provide ample conditions for guests interested in trying windsurfing. The best time to try windsurfing is during the wet season, between May to October, when the weather conditions are much windier.

Windsurfing is a combination of sailing and surfing – because of the ability to be pulled at high speeds across a great distance, unless experienced, the activity should never be attempted without an instructor nearby. When the sport first began, windsurfers reached modest speeds, and only close to the shore. Nowadays, with more developed sailboards, windsurfers can reach a speed of up to 40 knots and cover great distances over sea.
A basic sailboard has a board and a sail rig. Steering is done, much like a normal sail, by moving the sail to adjust with the wind. The practice is similar to sailing, in terms of technique. A beginner will start on a large board with a small sail. Once skill with activity increases, the board size can be reduced, while the sail size can vary based on weather conditions. Because windsurfing is more aligned with sailing than surfing, learning to windsurf takes longer than other water sports.
Once mastered, windsurfing has several sub-disciplines to choose from, these include freestyle, big wave and course racing, to name a few. One of the best things about this sport is that it can be enjoyed at any age. As long as you have an experienced instructor to guide you, accidents are rare.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Bangkok Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River

Bangkok river cruise — Bangkok River Cruise , Photo by eGuide Travel via Flickr, (CC BY 2.0)

In Bangkok and wondering what to do next? Well, instead of taking your family or significant other out for dinner on the town, why not take them out for a lovely meal out on the waters of Thailand’s main river, the Chao Praya! Tours along the river are operated both by independent operators as well as by tourist hotels and resorts. If the one you are staying at doesn’t organise ones of their own, ask them to help you find a trusty independent tour operator to take you.

These cruises along the river usually include stopovers at popular tourist attractions such as the Grand Palace complex and Wat Arun which look positively radiant at night, all lit up! The fare on offer is typically delicious local Thai cuisine which is offered buffet style to passengers. The great views of the illuminated capital against the back drop of a dark night sky can be observed as you cruise along the river. This creates a great ambiance befitting of a romantic date night or even a relaxing evening out with friends and family.

Most of the independently organised river cruise tours include some sort of a shuttle service between the embarking point and your accommodation, especially if your accommodation is somewhat of a well-known one. Even if you aren’t staying at a resort, and are instead residing at one of the service apartments in Bangkok, give the tour operator a ring to see if they can provide roundtrip transfers from your location to the vessel as part of your package. If, for example, you are lodging at a riverside apartment complex such as Chatrium Residence Riverside Bangkok, many independent tour operators are likely to have you on the list of places to which they offer pick up/drop off facilities. So make a booking for a little river cruise the next time you’re in Thailand’s capital and craving for some good food, great views and one hell of a time.

Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+

Aquatic adventures in Sri Lanka

A holiday in Sri Lanka has so much to offer travellers seeking fun and adventure. Whether you are planning a sandy beach vacation at one of the beautiful beach hotels in Sri Lanka, such as the luxurious Amagi Hotels and Resorts, for example, or an exciting safari tour around the island, Sri Lanka has something for everyone. With so many beautiful beaches to choose from, it’s no wonder water activities top the list of sought after activities by visiting tourists. The West coast of the island is famous for its stunning beaches, coral reefs that are close to the shoreline; ideal for snorkelling and diving.

Coastal towns like Hikkaduwa, Ahangama and Weligama offer the best surfing conditions along the South-west coastline, with waves reaching as high as 6 feet. However, these areas are also popular tourist destinations and therefore generally crowded. If you’re willing to travel a longer distance to experience the great surf waves, head to the surfing paradise of Arugam Bay. Located on the east coast, A-Bay, as it’s fondly known by locals, is less crowded and offers world class surf breaks.

There are several coral reefs around the island that are located close to shore, which are perfect for snorkelling and diving. The top diving sites are Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna, to the west and Trincomalee on the north-east coast. North of the international airport, are holiday destinations like Negombo and Kalpitiya. Negombo is great for fishing and boating whilst Kalpitiya, a peninsula bordered by the Indian Ocean and a lagoon, is a good spot for Kite surfing. Kalpitiya is also well-known as a prime location for whale/dolphin watching. For those who prefer leisure activities over extreme sports, southern towns like Bentota and Koggala offer water safaris along the lagoons, where tourists can view wildlife, try their hand at fishing and even take in a view lagoon islands.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Top Diving Spots in the world

There’s no better way to explore the beauty that makes up the underwater world of fascinating marine creatures, colourful coral reefs, ancient shipwrecks and so much more, than with scuba diving. Whether you are just beginning or have been diving for years, there are a host of different diving sites around the world, with each offering its own uniquely wonderful diving experience.

The turquoise waters and vast coral formations are just some of the reasons that attract divers to the stunning Maldives Islands. Resorts themselves boast great diving opportunities within their house reefs, like the Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, for example, which is located near other note-worthy diving sites. Maldives offers several deep reefs and shipwreck dives along with the mesmerising experience of leisurely swimming alongside groups of manta rays and sharks.
Travel further east, and discover the many exciting diving locations that Indonesia has to offer. From the coral gardens off Bali’s coast, to the staggering amount of life diversity at Raja Ampat, the options are endless, but it’s the Lembeh Strait that wins out as best Indonesian diving location. Under the calm waters that divides Lembeh Island from the mainland, lies an extraordinary world, full of exotic looking flora and fauna. An underwater photographer’s dream, the dark ocean’s bed is home to an amazing display of rare sea creatures – mandarin fish, mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, hairy frog fish and dragonets to name a few.
However, if you’re more interested in wrecks than reefs, the Red Sea is the place to be. The tumultuous waters and strong winds and numerous reefs make this area hazardous to navigate. The ancient Egyptians and Romans travelled along Red Sea regularly and often ran aground. Even today, it’s not unusual to hear of vessels sinking near the reefs; plus, there are several sunken war ships in the area. These are of course, just a few places that offer great diving sites. From beautiful coral reefs to wreck diving, there’s so many diving destinations in the world to discover.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Diving with Manta Rays in Maldives

Tipped to be one of the most exhilarating and unique underwater experiences on offer in the Maldives, diving with manta rays is not for the faint of heart. Though these gentle giants are in fact, one of the most docile marine species in the ocean, they do cut imposing figures especially when one interacts with them in their own turf. Available through a variety of Maldives villas and resorts with diving centres including the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives and innumerable others, diving with manta rays is specifically geared for seasoned divers.

The Maldives is not only home to large schools of manta rays but is also one of the few diving hotspots in the world where spotting the large creatures is almost guaranteed due to their large local populace. Visitors who wish to experience a scuba diving excursion with manta rays will typically be transported to a site in the Indian Ocean such as Hanifaru where many mantas are known to feed during high tide. After the speedboat ride, divers will typically wait for high tide as the rising waves cause the manta rays to gather in one location to feed on plankton. Hanifaru is, in fact, one of the top diving destinations in the paradise archipelago and is especially well-known as a popular spot to witness manta rays as well as other marine creatures in their natural habitat.

Although manta rays appear fierce and imposing their nature is anything but hazardous to humans although divers must be careful when coming face to face and interacting with the creatures. Noticing the various patterns and spots on their bellies and skin has helped marine biologists and seasoned divers in the area to differentiate one manta ray from another. Diving fanatics who are based in the Maldives are certainly adept at interacting and recognising individual manta rays and also look to photograph them using underwater cameras. Tourists and those who are diving with the rays for the first time, however, should exercise caution and respect the distance between one’s self and the ray and enjoy the experience.

Stay Adventurous, Img. Src:[Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives]

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Exploring the underwater beauties in a whale submarine

Maldives is a group of islands that are surrounded by crystal clear azure waters that are teeming with a rich variety of marine life. To explore the beautiful life below the seas, diving and snorkelling is always the more popular options as it allows you to discover the marine life at your own pace. However, for non swimmers and those who have an innate fear of swimming in the sea, this can be problematic. In Maldives, all inclusive hotel excursions feature a variety of water sports and activities, like diving and snorkelling, that will keep you entertained and busy during your entire holiday, such as those offered at Maafushivaru Maldives.

Travelling with little kids can also mean that they won’t be able to experience the beautiful life that lives under the glistening waters of the Maldives, but fear not! The German Whale Submarine, the first of its kind, was created to allow anyone and everyone a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the diverse population of sea creatures. This submarine that was invented by the Germans and can hold a total of 50 passengers is believed to be the largest deep diving submarine that’s used for tourist activity.

The submarine initially dives to a depth of 25m, then 40 meters and finally up to a depth of 150 metres. Each of the three stops promises you a completely different view of the sea, without ever getting wet!

Each tour will be accompanied with an expert guide in marine life who will be point out the various species you come across, such as lionfish, anemone fish, parrotfish, eels, manta rays, sting rays, sea turtles, butterfly fish, whale sharks, grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, eels and many more! So keep your eyes peeled for the exotic marine life. Some submarine tours even allow for night dives.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Wildlife Holiday at Muthurajawela Wetland

In the stillness, water splashes against the boat as you drift gently along. A peculiar bird call carries across the breeze, sometimes answered in return by another bird, a unique form of communication that humans are not privy to. Suddenly in your line of sight, you catch a flash of brown; you scan the skies and then you spot it; a majestic Brahminy kite soaring through the air, wings fully expanded, surveying the territory below. The Muthurajawela Wetland offers such outdoor adventures, perfect for bird watching enthusiasts.

A saltwater coastal peat bog which is the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka, the Muthurajawela Wetland is a protected sanctuary and is rich in biodiversity. This wetland is within easy reach of the coastal city of Negombo known for offering both luxury and budget hotels in Sri Lanka. Amongst the budget options, Hotel J Negombo is amongst the choices one can consider and is a little over half an hour drive from the Muthurajawela Visitor Centre.

Located in between the Kelani River and the Negombo Lagoon, Muthurajawela is one of the island’s most important wetlands and is part of a habitat that encompasses more than 6,000 hectares of mangroves and marshland. Within this thriving ecosystem, one can find around 190 plant species and more than 200 animal species, of which bird species number more than a hundred.

One of the best ways to explore and experience the natural heritage of the Muthurajawela Wetland is to take a boat ride along the waters. If you are into bird watching make sure you have a field guide book or a knowledgeable friend or guide who can identify the different birds you may come across. Keep your eyes peeled for varieties such as cormorants, purple swamp hens, common moorhens, common redshanks, lesser whistling-ducks and white-bellied sea eagles. Birds aside, you may also spot toque monkeys, water monitors and saltwater crocodiles, among the other animal residents that call Muthurajawela home.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Surfing in Negombo

Negombo, a town situated in the North of the capital, Colombo is a tourist paradise as the south coast of the country. The breathtaking lagoon and the stunning Negombo beaches along with cultural sites make it a perfect destination to explore. The warm waters are ideal for surfers of all ages who are interested in exploring the waters.

Accommodation can be found at many budget hotels in Sri Lanka, however, even when travelling with a budget one ought to stay at places that provide convenient access to the beaches and offer comfortable lodging such as Hotel J Negombo. One of the great things about Negombo is that it is a surfing hub all year around. From amateur to most experienced surfers, the waves of Negombo can be a real treat. However, that being said, if you are planning to go windsurfing during January to March, the shore breaks can be a bit challenging and require some expertise. It’s always advisable to speak to the locals and check on the tides & undercurrents before you head out to explore the waters. Apart from windsurfing travellers can also go kite surfing during their visit to Negombo.

Surf schools and rental places can be found in Negombo for those interested in learning the ropes of surfing for the first time. These places will offer you the chance to rent out any type of surfing gear you need starting from wetsuits to boots and boards.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

Banana Reef

Maldives is well known for its remarkable natural dive sites. Banana Reef is one of the oldest dive sites that can be found in Maldives that is renowned internationally. The reef is shaped like a banana which provides excellent protection to the marine area. It is also a protected marine spot due to its exceptional shape, a large number of fish varieties that dwell beneath the shimmering waters and rare caves and canyons that are found scattered across the depths of the sea. Due to its popularity among divers, it is frequented by tourists as well as locals who enjoy diving in spectacular natural locations. If you are a diving fan and staying in a Maldives luxury resort the likes of COMO Cocoa Island, The Maldives, you can take a boat trip to this must visit location to fulfil your diving fantasies. Beginners, as well as professional divers, are sure to enjoy this panoramic reef that boasts beautiful soft coral growths, overhangs and small canyons.

The multicoloured coral reefs and large schools of small to big fish that can be seen here make your dive worthwhile. Some of the predators that can be seen here include barracudas, sharks and groupers. It is also home to an array of small and attractive fish species that can be widely seen while diving.

Banana Reef is situated north of Male within the atoll when you pass the airport. Diving takes a new meaning at Banana Reef when the current is relatively mild. It is the best time for all types of divers to take a plunge and explore the breathtakingly beautiful soft corals quite safely. However, diving near the middle of this reef area can be quite risky for amateurs due to the strong incoming currents across the channel that can create an effect of a spinning washing machine!

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+